Efforts to revitalize the crime ridden area at 61st and South Peoria will be highlighted in a block party in September for the second time. Volunteer Cathy McClanahan says there is a perceived drop in crime in the area since last year’s block party.
"Probably not entirely due to a block party, but I think that any time you can bring people together and you know - a police officer can serve up a hot dog to a resident there at 61st and Peoria - things can only get better from there."
She says the goal is to bring everyone together in the same environment to celebrate accomplishments. Efforts started in the community last year after four women were murdered.
McClanahan also says that last year, about 1800 people came out and it was all on a shoestring budget.
"This year there is even more interest. There is more folks that are wanting to kind of offer up food, and prizes, and services. There's more folks that want to come out and put up a little tent and talk about their particular, you know, civic group, or whatever they have."
There have been numerous murders and shootings in the area comprised of low income housing. McClanahan says this community gathering will celebrate the good stuff people don’t usually hear about.